Lawsuit.pdf

The Cornucopia Institute, Dominic Marchese, and Rebecca Goodman are suing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, for appointing unqualified individuals to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in violation of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The plaintiffs claim that the USDA's actions have resulted in inappropriate influence over the NOSB, undermining the integrity of organic food standards and violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The USDA allegedly failed to maintain the required balance and viewpoint diversity on the NOSB, and also improperly influenced the board's decisions, including changing the Sunset Review rules without proper notice and comment. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to ensure that the USDA complies with the OFPA and FACA.